Multiple time switch



May 26 1953 J. c. RlVET MULTIPLE TIME SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb.7, 1952 I lnventcm Jase KmZZzfl/Vzt y 6, 1953 J. c. RlVET 2,640,117

MULTIPLE TIME SWITCH Filed Feb. 7, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor @yJose ale Camille Bil 0t Attorneys Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

The present invention relates to a time switch mechanism and moreparticularly to a multiple coin and time controlled switch mechanism.

The general object of the invention is the provision of a multiple timeswitch mechanism for closing a plurality of electric circuits insuccession and for a predetermined time period.

An important object of the present invention is the provision of aswitch operating mechanism whereby a plurality of electric lightcircuits may be operated. for a selected time period by coin controlmeans.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a coin andtime controlled multiple switch mechanism for closing a plurality ofelectric circuits for a predetermined time period, including means forpreventing the accidental reopening of said electric circuits aftercessation of the operation of the circuit closing means.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of the deviceof the character described which will be very efiicient and reliable inoperation.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of amultiple time switch mechanism which may control a large number ofelectric circuits although being relatively small and compact.

The foregoing and other important objects of the present invention willbecome more apparent during the following disclosure and by referring tothe drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a votive assembly of lamps using thetime switch mechanism according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan section taken across the box housing the time switchmechanism;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional elevation taken through the mechanismalong line 3-3 of Figure 6 and showing a switch in open position;

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 showing the switch beingclosed;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one switch in closed position;

Figure 6 is a section along line 6--6 of Figure 3;

Figures '7, 8 and 9 are electric diagrams showing various stages ofoperation of the arrangement according to the invention; and

Figure 10 is an enlarged View of one of the plurality of switchesaccording to the invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in which like referencecharacters indicate like elements throughout, the letter A indicates apanel carrying a plurality of lamps B connected by an electric cable Cto a box D containing the mechanism according to the invention, which isitself connected to electric elements housed in a coin receivingcontainer E by means of electric wires F. The time mechanism isconnected to an electric outlet G by means of cable H. The box D formsan oil bath 1 at its bottom in which is immerged a shaft 2 rotated at aconstant speed by means of gear 3 keyed to the middle portion of saidshaft, and meshing with a worm 4 driven by a suitable electric motor andspeed reducing unit 5 as shown in Figure 2. On the shaft 2 are keyed onboth sides of the gear 3 a plurality of spaced clutch plates 6 having aninner flange 1 in contact with said shaft 2 and each engaging thecentral opening of a frictionally rotated disc 8 in frictional contactwith the corresponding clutch 6. A compression spring 9 is disposed ateach end of the shaft 2 to press the alternating clutch plates 6 anddiscs 8 on each side of the gear wheel 3 one against the other. Flangesl0 formed on the shaft 2 abut the inner clutch plates 6 adjacent thegear wheel 3 while outer slidable flanges H are disposed intermediatethe coil springs 9 and the outer discs 8. The pressure exerted by thecoil springs 9 will be adjusted by means of nuts 9 so that the discs 8will normally rotate with the shaft 2 but will be prevented fromrotating by a slight stopping force exerted at the periphery thereof.For that purpose the discs 8 are provided with a square-shaped notch [2,as shown in Figures 3 to 5, for receiving the square inner end [3 of thelong leg M of a T-shaped member 15. The long leg I4 of the T-shapedmember I5 is longitudinally slidable and pivotable in a flared bore 16of a rack I! extending above the shaft 2 and the plurality of clutchplates 6 and discs 8.

The cross leg I8 of the T-shaped member I5 is prevented from rotating ina horizontal plane by engaging a transverse groove [8 made at the upperface of rack l'l. Said cross-leg I8 is coated at one end with a silverlayer it forming an electric contact adapted to abut the silver coatedhead 20 of a pin 2i slidably mounted on a bracket 22, urged downwardlyby spring 2| and forming a stationary electric contact secured to aframe member 23 made of electric insulating material. The opposite endof the cross-leg 18 of the T-shaped member 15 has a bevelled recase 24at one of its side faces to receive a wedge 25 mounted on an endlesschain 26 adapted to travel within a guiding channel 26 extending at theupper face of the rack ll in a direction perpendicular to the severalgrooves 18' and consequently to the cross-legs 18 of the T-shapedelements 15.

n will be seen that the bevelled ends is of said elements will normallyengage the notch |2 of the corresponding disc 8 to prevent rotation ofthe latter, as shown in Figure 3, in which case the T-shaped member I5is in its lower position, the electric switch being open. When the wedge25 of the travelling endless chain 26 comes in contact with the recess24 of the side leg l8 of the T-shaped member IS, the latter is caused topivot so as to take an inclined position as shown in Figure 4 with thecontact i9 abutting the head while at the same time the square end l3 ofthe long leg [4 disengages the notch |2, and is automatically displacedto take a position opposite the periphery of the disc 8.

Upon further travelling of the chain 26, the wedge clears the cross-legI8 of the T-shaped member l5 whereupon the long leg I 4 of the lattertakes a slightly inclined position with the end |3 resting on theperiphery of the disc 8. In this latter position the side leg l8 of themember IE will slightly compress the spring 2| of the pin 2| of thestationary electric terminal.

After a complete revolution of the disc 8 the square end i3 of theT-shaped member I5 again engages the notch IQ of said disc 8 whereby thelong leg 14 assumes its lower vertical position and electric contactstopped between the member l5 and the pin 2| as shown in Figure 3. Itwill be understood that there is a clutch plate 6, a disc 6, a T-shapeclmember l5 and a stationary electric contact 2| for each of the lamps 13thereby forming as many time switches for closing their respectiveelectric circuit for a predetermined time controlled by the speed ofrotation of the shaft 2 and the diameter of the discs 8.

Despite the fact that each disc 8 rotates at a slow speed as compared tothe rate of travel of the chain 29 and consequently to the short timeperiods during which a wedge 25 engages the cross-leg it of the T-shapedmember i5, it will be noted that on account of the pivotal movement ofthe T-shaped member l5, the end l3 of the latter cannot drop again intothe notch [2 of the disc 8 after passage of the wedge 25.

As shown in Figure 2, there is preferably an endless chain 25 for eachset of T-shaped elements l5 on each side of the central worm gear 3.These endless chains are trained over sprocket wheels 21 convenientlymounted on brackets 28 and driven by a common motor 29 through the worm30 and worm gear 3| disposed at one end of the box D. On the shaft 32 ofthe motor 29 is keyed a wheel 34 provided with a tooth 35, shown moreparticularly in Figure 7, adapted to lift the actuating arm 36 of aswitch 31 for stopping operation of the motor 29 after one rotation ofits shaft 32.

The speed ratios of the shaft 32 and chains 26 is such that the wedges25 on said chains will travel only the distance necessary to engage oneT-shaped member l5 and clear the same. Said wedge will stop beforeengaging the next T-shaped member l5. The wheel 34 is also provided witha pin 38 to operate a counting device 39 for registering the number ofactuations of the motor 29, that is the number of coins deposited in thecoin controlled mechanism.

As shown in Figures '1 to 9 the coin receiving box E comprises a coinchute 40 communicating with the coin container 4|, a coin stopping arm42 and a switch actuating arm 43 extending within said chute 46. Thecoin stopping arm 42 is connected to suitable levers 44 and to a pressbutton 45 whereby depression of said button 45 will cause retraction ofarm 42 as shown in Fig- 4 ure 8. Operation of the arm 43 by a coin, asshown at 46 in Figure 8, will close the switch 41. The box E alsocomprises a pilot lamp 48 and a holding relay 33, the actuated bar 62 ofwhich is provided with a stopping arm 63 adapted to project within thechute 40, as shown in Figure 8, for preventing additional coins 46 fromreach ing the switch arm 43 during operation of the device. Upon closingof the main switch 49 the electric motor 5 will be energized to rotatethe shaft 2 at a uniform constant speed through the circuit: switch 49,wires 50, 5|, motor 5, wires 52, 53 and switch 49. Upon closing of theswitch 41 by a coin 46, the following circuit is closed: switch 49, wire50, pilot lamp 48, wires 54, 55, switch 41, wire 53, and switch 49. Atthe same time the following parallel circuit is closed: main switch 49,wire 50, wire 56, electric motor 29 driving the endless chains 26, wires51, 55, switch 41 and wire 53 back to the main switch 49. Furthermore,the following circuit is closed at the same time: switch 49, wires 50,58, electromagnet 59, wires 60, 54, 55, switch 41, wire 53, back to themain switch 49. Upon energization of the electromagnet 59, the pivotedbar 62 is attracted and connects the wire 60 to wire 6| itself connectedto switch 31. As soon as wheel 34, driven by the electric motor 29, hasstarted to rotate, the actuating arm 36 of the switch 31 leaves thetooth 35 of said wheel 34 thereby closing said switch 31 and connectingthe wire 6| to the wire 53. As soon as the coin 46 has passed the arm 43of the switch 41, said arm 43 extending within the coin chute 40, saidswitch 41 breaks the circuit: wire 55, switch 41 and wire 53 as shown inFigure 9. But the motor 29 continues to operate through the followingholding circuit: switch 49, wires 59, 56, motor 29, wires 51, 54, 60,bar 62, wire 6|, switch 31, wire 53 and main switch 49. This holdingcircuit will remain energized until the switch 31 returns to its openposition. The arm 83 projecting within the coin chute 40 will retain anyadditional coin 45' until the switch 31 opens, that is until thelighting operation of one of the lamps B is completed.

The lamps B are lighted by the following circuits: ((1) wires 56, 65,primary of transformer 66, wires 61 and 53; (2)) ground 56, secondary ofthe transformer 66, wire 69. lamp B, wire 1'6, bracket 20, the contactpin 2| and T-shaped me" iber l5 which is grounded at 1|.

The friction discs 8 are provided with radial grooves 12 to collect anyforeign matter which may accumulate between their side surface incontact with the associated clutch plate 6.

It will. be noted that the wedges 25 on the endless chains 26 are sospaced that as one wedge 25 is leaving one row of T-shaped members IS,the wedge 25 on the other chain 26 will start to engage the other row ofsaid members.

The multiple control time switch, according to the invention, isoperated as follows:

A coin 46 is inserted within the chute 40 and rests against the stop arm42 as shown in Figure 7. The push button 45 is then depressed to allowthe coin 46 to drop onto the arm 43 of the switch 41 which closes thecircuit to the pilot light 48, the electromagnet 59 and to the electricmotor 29. As soon as the latter starts to operate the electric switch 31is closed thereby closing the holding circuit for the motor 29 and theelectromagnet 59, the pivoted bar 62 of which is attracted to close thechute by means of the projecting arm 63 in order to prevent anyadditional coin to operate switch 41.

The motor 29 continues to operate and causes a wedge 25 on either one ofthe chains 26 to lift and pivot a T-shaped member thereby clos ing theelectric circuit to one of the lamps B. The latter circuit is againopened after one complete revolution of the disc 8, when the lower endE3 of said T-shaped member [5 again engages the notch l2 of the disc 8.

Referring to Figures 3 to 5, it will be noted that the end E3 ofT-shaped member It and the notch [2 of disc 8 are square and fit eachother within substantially close tolerances. Otherwise, due to the slowspeed of rotation of disc 8 relatively to the time of actuation of themember i5 by the wedge 25, the end i3 would have time to start to engagenotch l2 and then disengage and reengage the same upon dropping a coininto the machine. This could happen when all the lamps B are lighted anda coin is dropped into the machine only a short time after one of saidlamps becomes deenergized.

It has been stated in the above description that the wedge movesintermittently between successive T-shaped member clearing positions. Itis obvious that said wedge 25 may be so arranged as to come to rest insuccessive positions engaging said T-shaped members It, whereby the lampB which was last lighted will remain so until the main switch 49 isopened.

While a preferred embodiment according to the invention has beenillustrated and described it is understood that various modificationsmay be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A time switch mechanism comprising a frictionally rotated disc havinga notch at its periphery, an elongated member adapted to take a firstposition engaging said notch to stop rotation of said disc and a secondposition resting on the periphery of said disc, a side extension on saidmember, means engageable with said extension to raise and pivot saidmember from said first to said second position, electric contactsassociated with and operated by said member and a rack member for saidelongated member having a bore with flaring walls for receiving saidelongated member, said rack member being disposed between said disk andsaid side extension.

2. A time switch as claimed in claim 1, said elongated member having asecond side extension forming one of said electric contacts and astationary member forming the other of said contacts, abutting saidsecond extension when said elongated member is in said second position.

3. A. time switch as claimed in claim 1, said elongated member having asecond side extension forming one of said electric contacts, astationary member forming the other of said contacts, abutting saidsecond extension when said elongated member is in said second position,said bored rack member having a transverse groove at its upper face forreceiving said extensions.

4. A time switch mechanism comprising a frictionally rotated disc havinga notch on the periphery thereof, an up-right T- haped member having itsmain leg longitudinally and pivotally displaceable from a first notchengaging position to a second disc periphery abutting position, meansengageable with a side leg of said member to move the latter from saidfirst to said second position, an electric contact abutting the other ofsaid side legs when said member is in said second position, and a boredrack through which extends the long leg of said T-shaped member, saidrack having a groove at its upper face for receiving said side legs.

5. A multiple time switch mechanism comprising a driving shaft, aplurality of frictionally rotated discs mounted on said shaft, saiddiscs having a notch on the periphery thereof, a plurality of uprightT-shaped members extending side by side and having their main leglongitudinally and pivotally displaceable from a first notch engagingposition to a second disc periphery abutting position, a flexible memberdisplaceable underneath one side leg of said T-shaped members, andacross a row of the same, a boss on said endless flexible member,engageable with said side legs to transfer successively said T- shapedmembers from said first to said second position and electric contactscloseable upon said transfers.

6. A multiple time switch mechanism as claimed in claim 5 including abored rack through which extend the long legs of said T-shaped members,said rack having at its upper face a plurality of transverse grooves forreceiving the side legs of said T-shaped members and a longitudinalchannel for receiving said flexible member.

JOSEPH CAMILLE RIVET.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number

